I remember staying at my Nana’s all weekend while my parents had their “adult time…” I loved going because she let me climb into her bed to watch Lawrence Welk with a Seven-up ice-cream float. The show was pretty boring but to sip ice-cream from a straw in bed was divine. The thing is, she […]
How often have your kids turned their noses up to new foods-especially when they hear “Vegetable?” One of the major benefits of having children grow food: when they grow it they tend to try it. AND they usually like what they eat! We did a straw poll in each class over the past several weeks […]
With a cheshire cat smile, a third grade girl held up both hands and said, “I have dirty hands!” Her friend chimed in, “That’s part of gardening-getting dirty!” Temperatures may still hover in the uncomfortable 40 degree (F) range with a biting cold wind, but the garden cries out for food and care, so the […]
Here are a few common experiences that attempt to convey the discomfort someone with tactile defensiveness live with daily: Finger nails scratching across a chalk board. The lingering sensation of touching a slug; struggling to get the slime off. When the panty hose are twisted but you didn’t have time to straighten them before rushing […]
One of my colleagues takes one look at GAK and wants to puke…definitely sensory issues going on. While I personally have some real tactile hypersensitivities, I am fascinated by the textural experience GAK provides. This big blue blob feels wet, cold and gooey. But it’s actually dry and not very messy. It has a […]
I love when I find an activity that works for all ages. With the right amount of help even the littlest hands can manage this simple project. It is easy to do and materials are inexpensive. Benefits: The sponge should be held between the thumb, pointer and middle fingers. This strengthens the muscles used for […]
Swimming is one of the primary motor skills every human being should acquire. Why? It may save your life some day. So how do you go about teaching your child to swim? There are many excellent swimming programs available and this site does not intend to be an exhaustive guide in swimming skill development. As […]
One of my favorites is the “squeeze toy” pictured above. It allows the child to squeeze when turned into a ball and this stimulates proprioceptors, which you may recall, help inhibit unecessary stimulation in the brain. In essence, it provides calming stimulation. When the ball is turned inside out it becomes this “spiky” thing that provides tactile […]
Play dough is a favorite of many children. This time tested activity strengthen the hands and is a great entrée into touch exploration. Benefits: Hand strengthening occurs when the fingers are fully extended (straight) and used to press down and roll the dough back and forth to make coils. Children, typically call these “snakes” or “hot dogs.” Isolating […]
Long ago I was an “Itinerant Therapist.” This meant that I traveled to children’s homes to work with them, lugging all my equipment and bag of trick with me. I will always be exceedingly grateful to the many families who opened their homes week after week for me to”play” with their children. The forbearance and […]
*PLAYDOUGH: 4 CUPS FLOUR 4 CUPS WATER 1 CUPS SALT 3 TBS CREAM OF TARTAR 4 TBS OIL *GAK: 1 CUP WHITE GLUE 1 CUP WATER MIX IN BOWL #1 FOOD COLORING 1 CUP WATER 1 1/2 TSP BORAX MIX TOGETHER IN BOWL #2 COMBINE CONTENTS OF BOTH BOWLS, PULL OUT WATER AND KNEAD […]